Similarly, prominent Chinese rights defender and HIV/AIDS activist Hu Jia was released last Sunday after serving three and a half years in prison for “inciting subversion.” He also returned with a “chronic” health condition and a gag order.

Since February, 130 activists, lawyers, bloggers and Twitter users were arrested and kidnapped as part of the Chinese government’s Big Chill crackdown on the Jasmine Revolution. While some of them have been released, including Ai’s close associates, many remain in detention and those who return are “silenced.” (Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)